Night Beds
Spotlight show • Winston Yellen spent the first 11 years of his life in Northern California, then the next seven in Colorado Springs, but has found a home in Nashville. Under the stage name of Night Beds, Yellen is not among the slick, manufactured acts that get molded on an assembly line. He comes from the outlaw singer-songwriter-inspired tradition, with a high lonesome sound that describes not only his world-weary high tenor but also his spare, stripped-down musical accompaniment that accents, rather than overwhelms, his intimate songs. In a phone interview, Yellen said he initially went to a small college in Georgia on a soccer scholarship before hearing the siren song coming from Nashville and transferring to Music City's Belmont University. The move was right: Last week, he debuted on Jimmy Fallon's late-night show, and he is about to embark on his second European tour. "The audiences were very polite," Tellen said of Europe. "I'm more used to playing liquor stores."
When • Friday, Feb. 15, at 7 p.m.
Where • Kilby Court, 741 S. 330 West, Salt Lake City
Tickets • $10 at 24Tix
Coheed and Cambria
Spotlight show • It's safe to say that the songs of most progressive hard-rock bands inspire Hollywood big-shot Mark Wahlberg to consider making a movie based on the lyrics. But that's not the case with Coheed & Cambria, the New York-based band led by Claudio Sanchez (not to be confused with the NPR correspondent). Each of the band's seven albums is a concept album following the sci-fi storyline based in The Amory Wars. In July, at Comic-Con, came word that Wahlberg and his production company Leverage (responsible for "Boardwalk Empire" and "Entourage") would bring Sanchez's story to the big screen. The Amory Wars, Sanchez said in a phone interview, was developed as way for him to express himself while hiding behind fictional characters. "They're all about me, but I'm stretching the truth so it's fiction," he said. "It was a way for me to deal with [being a frontman] and hide behind a façade. It allows me that distance, though I'll always be insecure." Special guests are Between the Buried and Me, and Russian Circles.
When • Friday, Feb. 15, at 6:30 p.m.
Where • Saltair, 12408 W. Saltair Drive, Magna
Tickets • $23 at SmithsTix
Kris Allen
Spotlight show • The new year began badly for "American Idol" winner Kris Allen. He was in a car wreck Jan. 1 and had surgery on his wrist several days later, complicating matters since he was to begin a new tour shortly after. But canceling was not an option, the 27-year-old Arkansas native said in a phone interview. He said he told fans he would tour, and he would do so. "I'm a man of my word," he said. So while his guitar-playing skills will be limited, he joked that his band's other guitar player gave him a baby xylophone to compensate. Touring behind his second album, "Thank You, Camellia," Allen talked about one of his most recent trips to Utah. The same night he was an opening act at Red Butte Garden in 2010, a fellow named Paul McCartney was headlining Rio Tinto Stadium in nearby Sandy. So, as soon as he finished his opening set, he and his band rushed over to Sandy to see Macca hit the stage. "It was amazing," he said. "I grew up a Beatles fan." Didn't we all?
When • Tuesday, Feb. 19, at 7 p.m.
Where • In The Venue, 579 W. 200 South, Salt Lake City
Tickets • $15 in advance, $17 day of, at SmithsTix
Dave Mason
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Dave Mason and the Dave Mason Duo are playing tonight. The former guitarist of Traffic will perform an acoustic set in Park City.
When • Friday, Feb. 15, at 8 p.m.
Where • Egyptian Theatre, 328 Main St., Park City
Tickets • $40-$70 at ParkCityShows.com
Too $hort
The West Coast rapper has been releasing music since the early '80s and he's still at it today. Having released an album last year, Too $hort is currently on tour and will make a stop in Ogden.
When • Saturday, Feb. 16, at 7 p.m.
Where • Club 366, 366 36th St., Ogden
Tickets • $20 at SmithsTix.com
Matt Wilson
Grammy-nominated jazz drummer Matt Wilson will perform Monday night. Wilson is touring in support of his latest release, "An Attitude for Gratitude."
When • Monday, Feb. 18, at 7:30 p.m.
Where • Capitol Theatre, 50 W. 200 South, Salt Lake City
Tickets • $25 at ArtTix.org
Galactic
The New Orleans-based funk band Galactic is performing in Salt Lake City. The show will feature special guests Corey Glover, Latyrx, Lyrics Born and Lateef The Truthspeaker.
When • Tuesday, Feb. 19, at 8 p.m.
Where • The Depot, 400 W. South Temple, Salt Lake City
Tickets • $20 advance, $25 day of; at SmithsTix.com
Carrie Rodriguez with Jeff Crosby
Country fiddler, singer and songwriter Carrie Rodriguez will perform with Jeff Crosby, a Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.
When • Tuesday, Feb. 19, at 8 p.m.
Where • State Room, 638 S. State St., Salt Lake City
Tickets • $12 advance, $15 day of; at thestateroomslc.com
Randy Houser
The country singer is riding a crest of success with a recent No. 1 hit ("How Country Feels") and is headlining a concert that is part of radio station The Eagle 101.5's recurring series.
When • Wednesday, Feb. 20, at 7:30 p.m.
Where • Outlaw Saloon, 1254 W. 2100 South, Ogden
Tickets • $20 at SmithsTix
Kishi Bashi
Kishi Bashi is touring in support of his debut solo LP, "151a." Bashi's sound is a unique mix of avant-garde pop and folk. Plume Giant will open.
When • Wednesday, Feb. 20, at 7 p.m.
Where • Kilby Court, 741 S. Kilby Court (330 West), Salt Lake City
Tickets • $10 advance, $12 day of; at 24Tix.com
The Generators
This Los Angeles-based punk rock band is scheduled to perform in Salt Lake City. Openers include Tainted Halos and Dead Virgins.
When • Thursday, Feb. 21, at 7:30 p.m.
Where • The Shred Shed, 60 E. Exchange Place, Salt Lake City
Tickets • $7 at the door
Martin Sexton
The singer/songwriter is bringing his brand of folk, soul and acoustic rock to Park City.
When • Thursday, Feb. 21, at 9 p.m.
Where • Park City Live, 427 Main St., Park City
Tickets • $20 at SmithsTix.com
